A fireworks shell exploides low over Ariel-Foundation Park on July 4, 2021. Taken with a Nikon D610, Tamron 17-50mm lens with a shutter speed of 5s. (Joshua Morrison)
Arrive early and examine the surrounding scenery. You want to choose a high position above people.
A tripod is something you'll need. It's crucial to level the tripod because occasionally, as the night grows cooler, dew will form and the ground may become softer.
The camera settings will be something of an experiment. Your camera's shutter priority mode and Bulb settings are both available. The game of the bulb is distinctive and calls for some timing. Additionally, using a remote with your camera's shutter priority setting can be beneficial. There will be plenty of time for you to review your image.
In order to avoid having to resolve any focus errors in the dark, you should set your zoom to infinity and disable autofocus.
There will be some testing of the camera settings. You have two choices: the shutter mode on your camera, or the bulb setting. You will have plenty of time between launches to evaluate your image.
Start at f/11 and 200 ISO. You can fiddle with it till you get it where you want it if that's too bright. Usually, I let the shutter remain open for 8 to 10 seconds. You can leave the shutter open for as long as you'd like in Bulb mode.
Make sure you use a remote trigger or cable release. The shutter button can cause a small vibration and your images will show it.
Fireworks at Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon, Ohio
Fireworks at Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon, Ohio
Fireworks at Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon, Ohio
Want to use your phone but don't have a DSLR? Both the tripod and a phone holder are necessary. If "Review photo" is turned on, you should disable it. Avoid adjusting the zoom. Everything will be captured in landscape mode. Many of the guesswork associated with photo settings is eliminated by apps like Spectre. You can also use the video mode and capture the photos via freeze fame.
A youngster plays with a sparkler on the shore of Apple Valley Lake.
Shells explode over the boats on Apple Valley Lake
